The representative from NC Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles we heard from said that you must surrender your license plate for the suspension/revocation period.
North Carolina's compulsory insurance law is strictly enforced. If you cancel your insurance, or coverage is discontinued for any reason, your insurance company will notify the DMV that your policy has lapsed.
According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation if you have a lapse of auto insurance you will be send a FS 5-7 Notice which you need to respond to within 10 days. To retain your license plate you must re-certify with correct insurance information (this means you must have the car now insured) and submit a payment of $50 within the given 10 day limit.
Failure to respond within the 10 days will result in the loss of your license plate (tags) for 30 days. After those 30 days, to get your plates back you must:
- Provide proof of insurance coverage Form FS-1 (which you can obtain from your insurance agent);
- Pay a civil penalty fee of $50.00, $100.00 or $150.00 (depending on how many prior paid lapses you have General Statute 20-311).
- Pay a $50.00 service fee;
- And pay the appropriate license plate fee.
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[Let CarInsurance.com help you find affordable auto insurance now.] The NC DMV notes that the $50.00 service fee is required if a plate pick-up order is issued for the vehicle in question. The service fee may be avoided by surrendering your license plate to the DMV during the prescribed period of 10 days following notice of revocation.
You should discuss your situation with the NC DMV to get more information on your specific situation and what steps to take to turn in your plates for the required 30 day period so that you can then get them reinstated and renewed so you can once again drive your now insured car.
Follow this link to get a North Carolina auto insurance quote to shop around for the best car insurance prices. | 
